Pull-away Wrapper and Box

ABSTRACT

A box with slits at one side, such as the back, is disclosed. Paper or other planar material enters through the slits to separate layers of food or other items in the box. In one embodiment, the box has two parallel slits, and the paper is folded such that it enters through each of the two parallel slits, forming a U-shape where the stems of the “U” each pass between layers of the food, and the base of the “U” lies flat against the box. A handle may be integrated with the paper, allowing one to pull the handle to remove the paper from both slits simultaneously. One may therefore receive a burger free of sogginess, with condiments and accoutrements (e.g. sauces) thereon, and remove the paper through a single motion, just before removing the food from its packaging.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to food packaging, and, more specifically, to a wrapper situated between buns and contents between the buns.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

A well-known problem in the prior art is that of the “soggy bun.” The term refers to a bun to which something wet has been added, including items such as tomatoes, sauces such as ketchup, or meat with liquid, any of whch are typically added to a warm burger. During the time a hamburger, or the like, is created with food products between a top and bottom part of the bun, until the food product is delivered to the consumer, the liquid penetrates the aforesaid bottom or top and causes a less satisfying culinary experience to the customer. The problem is most acute when the food product will be delivered to the customer or or is part of a take-out (when the customer will eat the burger in a half hour, hour, or even a day or two later). However, just getting a burger from behind the counter to your seat can result in an unwanted soggy bun, or might even induce establishments not to serve burgers with condiments already added. The typical solution in the art is simply to work around the issue, as mentioned above, or deal with a soggy bun. Neither option is ideal.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

In a first embodiment of the disclosed technology, a box for food has at least two sides. These “at least two sides” are at least a bottom side and a back side. The back side has at least one slit extending along part of a length thereof, the at least one slit being parallel to the bottom side. The demarcation point between sides is defined by a crease or change in angle from another side, whereas sides are defined as being generally planar, whereby “generally” is defined as “according to an ordinary observer.” A paper extends into the slit substantially parallel to the bottom side (at the point of entry, being substantially parallel). “Substantially” is defined as “exactly so with a tolerance of plus or minus 1%, 5%, or 10%.” The paper is adapted to be placed between two stacked items in the box, such that pulling the item through the slit and away from the box dislodges the paper from between the two stacked items.

A “box” is defined as an item for carrying another item, having at least a bottom and a back side, but may have has many as 12 sides and be open or closed at the top. For example, in an embodiment, a first portion or side of a box has a bottom, back, front, left side, and right side. A second portion has a top side, left side, right side, and front side; and the top and bottom sides are attached in a hinged manner. The slit extends through the back side of the bottom portion of the box.

There may be two slits, in parallel to each other (and the bottom side) extending across a side of the box, such as the back side. These slits may be spaced apart, such that a first slit corresponds to an approximate anticipated height just above a lower bun resting on the bottom side of the box, and the second slit corresponds to an approximate anticipated height just below an upper bun. “Approximate height” is defined as an estimated height for the slit, as cut by a manufacturer of the box or person/entity ordering the box, based on where such a person/entity expects, within their defined tolerance level, the bun (top and bottom) to fall in the box.

With the box, a U-shaped piece of paper may be included. Each stem (that is, the equivalent of the two vertical lines in a capital “U”) of extends through a respective slit of the food box, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The base of the U-shape (the portion between the two stems) of the paper has a handle extendable in a direction away from the stems of the U-shape, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. This handle may be used to pull the paper out of the box, as described in the method described below.

In a method of use of the above devices, a bottom bun is placed on the bottom side of the box. A first stem of the paper is extended through the first slit of the box over at least a major part of the bottom bun. At least one middle food item is placed on the paper and the bottom bun (such as meat of a hamburger), and a second stem of the paper is extended through the second slit of the box over at least a major part (majority) of the at least one middle food item. A top bun is placed over at least a majority of the middle food item and at least some of the paper which was extended through the second slit. The box is then closed, with the two parts of the paper and food inside, and a middle portion of the paper outside. “Closing” a box is defined as tightly enclosing all sides of the contents therein.

In a different method of using the box and paper described above, the box is received with a food item on the bottom of the box and paper between layers of said food item in at least two places. One then pulls the paper in a direction substantially perpendicular to the back side of the box and away from the box, causing removal of the paper from between the layers thereof. One may then remove the food item from the box only after complete removal of the paper from the box.

A box and paper of an embodiment of the disclosed technology may include the following. The box has a back side with two parallel slits further extending parallel to the bottom side of the box, and the paper is a single piece of paper extending through each slit of the two parallel slits, the paper having a handle which may be positioned parallel to each portion of the paper which extends through each recited slit. “Paper,” for purposes of this disclosure, is defined as planar but bendable/mailable material having a top and bottom side, and an extremely thin (less than 5 mm) edge. It may be constructed of pressed together moist fibers, plastic, metal (e.g., “roll of tin foil”), biodegradable cardboard, plastic or wax paper or other material, for purposes of this disclosure, or the equivalents thereof. Further, the paper may be unmalleable such that it retains its shape and structure during ordinary usage with a corresponding box and food product.

In another method of use, that is, in a method of food packaging and delivery, one places at least one bottom portion of a food item on a bottom of a box, extends a bottom portion of a single piece of paper through a first slit of the box, and over at least a major part (majority) of the at least one bottom portion of the food item. Then, one places at least one middle portion of the food item on the bottom portion of the single piece of paper extending through the first slit and extends a top portion of the single piece of paper through a second slit of the box and over at least a major part of the at least one middle portion of the food item. Once the box is closed, the food is ready for delivery. For example, such a food item may be a hamburger, consisting of a bottom and a top portion of a bun, filled there-between with cooked meat, with the paper adjacent to each portion of the bun.

In the above method, a step of causing a handle portion of the paper to reside outside the box, when the bottom and the top portion of the single piece of paper are inserted into respective slits, may also be carried out. A person receiving a delivery of the closed box with the food item may then pull the handle away from the box, causing the paper to be dislodged from the box, and open the box to remove the food item (the food item, at this time, lacking paper there-between, but the buns being “dry” (un-soaked except at the point of contact) as the middle food items just begin to touch the bun).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a box with inserted wrapper, of an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a back side elevation view of the box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of the box of FIG. 1, the reverse side being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 5 shows a front side elevation view of the box of FIG. 1, with slits prepared to receive the wrapper.

FIG. 6 shows the front side elevation view of FIG. 5, with inserted wrapper.

FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the box of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of the box of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the box and wrapper, with the wrapper ready to be inserted into the box of the previous figures, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 10 shows a side elevation view of the box of the prior figures with wrapper inserted, with the unviewable portions in dotted lines, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of the box of the prior figures opened with paper adjacent to each bun, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the box and bun of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows the direction of movement to remove the paper from the box of FIGS. 10 and 11, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

A box with slits at one side, such as the back, is disclosed. Paper or other planar material enters through the slits to separate layers of food or other items in the box. In one embodiment, the box has two parallel slits and the paper is folded such that it enters through each of the two parallel slits, forming a U-shape, where the stems of the “U” each pass between layers of the food, and the base of the “U” lies flat against the box. A handle may be integrated with the paper, allowing one to pull the handle to remove the paper from both slits simultaneously. One may therefore receive a burger free of sogginess, with condiments and/or sauces thereon, and remove the paper through a single motion, just before removing the food from its packaging.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view of the following description of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a box with inserted wrapper, of an embodiment of the disclosed technology. A box 10, here being an upper portion of a box having left, right, top, front, and back sides, has two slits 12 and 14. The slits are parallel to each other on a back side of the box. A piece of paper 50 passes through each slit 12 and 14 and has a handle 60 extending away from the box 10. This handle 60 may be used to pull the paper 50 out of the box.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the box of FIG. 1. Here, a bottom side 20 of the box may be seen, and may be part of a separate structure from the top side 10 of the box, attached by hinges, or simply by placing the top box 10 over the bottom box 20, in various embodiments of the disclosed technology. A “box” for purposes of this disclosure needs to have at least a bottom and a back side, where sides are differentiated by an abrupt (>30 degree or >75 degree) change in angle from a planar or generally planar surface and/or as an ordinary observer would recognize “sides” to be as such.

FIG. 3 shows a back side elevation view of the box of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of the box of FIG. 1, the reverse side being a mirror image thereof. FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the box of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of the box of FIG. 6. In these further sides, one can see that, in embodiments, the paper 50 and its handle 60 extend past the outside edge of the back side (or any other side chosen) of the box.

FIG. 5 shows a front side elevation view of the box of FIG. 1, with slits prepared to receive the wrapper. Here, the two slits 12 and 14 are clearly visible. They are parallel to each other in embodiments, and extend longitudinally across the side of the box. One, two, three, four, or five slits may be used. A “slit” is defined by a narrow length and long width in a ratio of at least 10:1 or 20:1 for the width:length. Paper may be inserted in each slit, or jointly in both slits and then placed between layers of a food item (or different food items stacked one, on top of each other). The papers or paper are joined, outside of the box, such that all may be pulled out simultaneously.

FIG. 6 shows the front side elevation view of FIG. 5, with inserted wrapper. Here, the paper 50 extends into both slots 12 and 14. The handle 60 may be pulled towards the viewer (away from the plane of the paper), to pull out the paper from multiple slits simultaneously. (Here, two slits are shown, but again, there may be any number of slits from 1 to 6 or greater, with each paper between layers of food or other items, but when using two slits, one continuous sheet of paper may be used. Still further, the handle 60 may be a fold in the piece of continuous paper.)

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the box and wrapper, with the wrapper ready to be inserted into the box of the previous figures, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Here, the food item (which may be food or any other item having separate parts, for purposes of this disclosure, or, specifically, an edible product) has a top 89, middle 88, and bottom 87. These may be buns (bottom bun or portion of the bun 87, top bun or portion of the bun 89) and patty 88 (meat, vegetarian, soy, etc.). The middle portion 88 may have a variety of parts (such as meat, tomato, lettuce, ketchup). The paper 50 is inserted such that the bottom portion 54 is between the lower part of the food item 87 and the middle portion of the food item 88. The paper 50 is further inserted, sometimes simultaneously, such that the top portion 52 is between the middle portion 88 and top portion 89 of the food. The bottom portion of the food item 87 rests on the bottom 20 of the box. The items may be added as follows: box 20, bottom portion of the food 87, bottom part of the paper 54 on the bottom food portion 87 (at least covering the majority thereof and passing through the bottom slit 14), then the middle portion of the food item 88, followed finally by the top portion of the paper 52 through the slit 12 and the top portion of the food item 89. Then, the box is closed and the food in the box, with paper separating the bun (top 89 and bottom 87) or other top/bottom section of the food, is ready to be delivered/handed to the purchaser/consumer or the like. The heights of the slits 12 and 14 (or any other slits used in embodiments of the disclosed technology) may be calibrated such that their height allows that paper to pass straight through the slits at a height above or below respective parts of the food item.

FIG. 10 shows a side elevation view of the box of the prior figures with wrapper inserted, with the unviewable portions in dotted lines, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Here, one can see the box 10 covering a hamburger (food item) having a top portion 89, a bottom portion 87, and a middle portion 88. The middle portion depicted here includes lettuce, tomatoes, and a burger. The pull handle 60 allows one to pull the paper 50, including the top part 52 and bottom part 54 which pass through the burger. As such, the paper can be pulled out by the consumer just prior to eating the food item, in order to have a fresher (less soggy bun) food item, or to cause mixture of food items only just before (within five minutes) eating.

FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of the box of the prior figures opened with paper adjacent to each bun, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The top portion of the box 10 is hinged upon the bottom portion of the box 20. The slits (see FIG. 12) are only on the bottom portion 20. From this view, showing a consumer opening the box, he/she sees the food (hamburger 87, 88, 89) separated by two (or any number) of pieces of paper 52 and 54.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the box and bun of FIG. 11. In this view, the place where the papers 52 and 54 connect, and are actually one continuous sheet, is seen at the back side (hidden from view in FIG. 11), where it all connects. By pulling the handle/tab 60 away from the box, the paper may be pulled out. The weight of the parts of the burger, or the back of the box, keep the burger in place while the paper is being pulled out, such that the parts of the food item 87, 88, and 89 retain their position with respect to each other (one on top of the other, at least the majority or at least 90% thereof). Once the paper is removed, one can take the burger out of the box and enjoy.

FIG. 13 shows the direction of movement to remove the paper from the box of FIGS. 10 and 11, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Here, the direction of movement is to pull the handle 60 away from the box in the direction 97. The food/box (87, 88, 89, 10, and 20) are pulled away from the paper in direction 98. This removes the paper while keeping the burger intact, in the box, where the burger (or other food item) may then be removed and eaten, fresh, without sogginess, and paper-free.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices described herein-above are also contemplated and within the scope of the disclosed technology. 

I claim:
 1. A food box comprising: a box having at least two sides, said at least two sides being at least a bottom and back side, said back side comprising at least one slit extending along part of a length of said back side and parallel to said bottom side; a paper extending into said slit substantially parallel to said bottom side and adapted to be placed between two stacked items in said box, such that pulling said item through said slit and away from said box dislodges said paper from between said two stacked items.
 2. The food box of claim 1, wherein said at least two sides of said box comprise: a first portion with said bottom, said back side, a front side, a left side, and a right side; a second portion with a top side, left side, right side, and front side; and said slit extends through said back side of said second portion, and said left side and said right side of said second portion are hinged to said left side and said right side of said first portion.
 3. The food box of claim 1, wherein said at least one slit is actually two parallel slits.
 4. The food box of claim 3, wherein said two parallel slits are spaced apart, such that a first slit corresponds to an approximate anticipated height just above a lower bun resting on said bottom side of said box, and said second slit corresponds to an approximate anticipated height just below an upper bun.
 5. A kit, comprising said food box of claim 3, and a U-shaped piece of paper, such that each stem of said U-shape extends through a respective said slit of said food box.
 6. The kit of claim 5, wherein said base of said U-shape of said paper comprises a handle extendable in a direction from said U-shape away from said stems of said U-shape.
 7. A method of using said kit of claim 6, comprising: placing a bottom bun on said bottom side of said box; extending a first stem of said paper through said first slit of said box over at least a majority of said bottom bun; placing at least one middle food item on said paper and said bottom bun; extending a second stem of said paper through said second slit of said box over at least a majority of said at least one middle food item; placing a top bun over at least a majority of said middle food item and at least some of said paper extending through said second slit; closing said box with said paper in said box in two places, and outside said box at a mid-portion of said paper.
 8. A method of using said kit of claim 6, comprising: receiving said box with food item on said bottom side of said box and said paper between layers of said food item at, at least, two places; pulling said paper in a direction substantially perpendicular to said back side of said box and away from said box, causing removal of said paper from between said layers thereof;
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of removing said food item from said box only after complete removal of said paper from said box.
 10. A box and paper product comprising: a box having a back side with two parallel slits further extending parallel to a bottom side of said box; a single piece of paper extending through each said slit of said two parallel slits, said paper comprising a handle positionable parallel to each portion of said paper which extends through each said slit.
 11. A method of food packaging and delivery, comprising: placing at least one bottom portion of a food item on a bottom side of a box; extending a bottom portion of a single piece of paper through a first slit of said box and over at least a majority of said at least one bottom portion of said food item; placing at least one middle portion of said food item on said bottom portion of said single piece of paper extending through said first slit; extending a top portion of said single piece of paper through a second slit of said box and over at least a majority of said at least one middle portion of said food item; placing at least one top portion of said food item on said top portion of said single piece of paper extending through said second slit; delivering a closed box with said food item.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said food item is a hamburger and said bottom and top portions each comprise a bun, and said middle portion comprises cooked meat with said paper adjacent to each portion of said bun.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprises a step of causing a handle portion of said paper to reside outside said box when said bottom and said top portion of said single piece of paper are inserted into respective said slits.
 14. The method of claim 13, carried out by a person receiving said delivery of said closed box with said food item, comprising: pulling said handle away from said box, causing said paper to dislodge from said box; and opening said box and removing said food item.
 16. The box and paper product of claim 10, wherein said paper is malleable.
 17. The box and paper product of claim 10, wherein said paper is in a fixed shape.
 18. The box and paper product of claim 17, wherein said fixed shape is a U-shape.
 19. The box and paper product of claim 16, wherein said paper is formed into a U-shape when inserted into the box, and a portion of the paper is flat against said back side of said box.
 20. The box and paper product of claim 19, wherein said paper further comprises a handle which is a folded portion of said paper, such that said paper is one planar sheet folded at each seam and twice at said handle, forming said handle. 